Give the Atlantic respect  and live

Monday

Jun 30, 2014 at 12:01 AMJun 30, 2014 at 12:15 PM

The Atlantic Ocean is especially inviting this time of year. The water temperature is just about perfect for most people and the shoreline can be one of the few places you can catch a breeze on days when the air seems so humidity-logged that it canít muster even the slightest movement.

The Daily News

The Atlantic Ocean is especially inviting this time of year. The water temperature is just about perfect for most people and the shoreline can be one of the few places you can catch a breeze on days when the air seems so humidity-logged that it canít muster even the slightest movement.

Unfortunately, only a few days into summer the area already has seen at least two ocean drownings. Chances are, with so many people crowding our beaches, they wonít be the last.

With that in mind, we are making our annual appeal to play it safe at the beach ó for yourself and those around you.

Recent reports highlighted researchers who were trying to figure out what makes certain areas of the beach more dangerous, even on days when the surf is relatively calm and there are no rip currents.

Researchers were concerned not only about drownings, but also the myriad injuries that can happen while playing in the ocean, especially serious neck injuries that can occur from being slammed into the sand by a powerful ó and sometimes unexpected ó wave.

Unfortunately, the ocean is as unpredictable as the summer thunderstorm forecast, and there is only so much lifeguards, weathermen or individuals can do to identify dangerous conditions.

Enter University of Delaware researchers and a group of trauma physicians who are trying to learn what types of surf conditions pose a higher risk for injury and ó most importantly ó how those conditions might be identified.

The goal is to be able to better educate lifeguards and the beach-going public on spotting dangerous conditions and to designate areas that present more risk.

It will be interesting to see the results. Whatever the outcome, ultimately the best way to stay safe at the beach is to, well, play it safe through vigilance. Even experienced swimmers can get in trouble after being smacked by a wave and swallowing a mouthful of saltwater.

Even guarded areas, those on duty can do only so much. We can help by adding our eyes to the water and spotting anyone who looks like they are in trouble.

It would be wonderful news if there were not another drowning to report this summer.

Go to the beach. Enjoy it. Itís one of the many attractions that make our area such a great place to call home.

But by all means, remain vigilant and give the ocean the respect it deserves.

A version of this editorial first appeared in the Wilmington Star-News, a Halifax Media Group newspaper.